On Christmas day, I had only just sat down in the service when I read “I bring you good news of great joy” and that was enough, I could have stood up and left and that would have “hit the spot” for me for the day. Some times I find the title of a book, more motivating that the contents!
Well yesterday I received an unexpected letter that “Was good news of great joy”. I was waiting to make an appointment on the 31st Dec with my GP to hear the results of the blood tests, but he wrote to me. In relation to the lump on my neck, there is nothing untoward. Subconsciously I was preparing myself for the opposite news, so when the good news came, my reaction was flat! Boy are we complicated.
To be honest, the last couple of months have been one of the biggest battles I have encountered for many years with God. My spirit and soul have been in constant conflict. My soul has been snubbing God on a daily basis whilst my spirit has engaged. The body had not totally lost it but allowed the excuse of the season to not be as disciplined as I should have been and put back 8 pounds I lost. But the body too just let the soul win, succumb to desire and become a subject.
Why do we as the human race not respond with great excitement, passion and celebration at the message of proclamation that Jesus has come to earth to live, die and rise again so that mankind can once again be in relationship with Father God? Have we so conditioned ourselves to our own thoughts and beliefs that when the truth of reality hits we are sceptical at what we are being told? Our legal position is a fact, nothing can change that. If we believe and respond to the grace and mercy of God, then we are “born again of the spirit” or as one translation puts it “born from above”. That changes everything. Our “living condition” is another matter and we have to walk that out on a daily basis, but our “living condition” cannot and does not change our legal position.
So today, I celebrate good health, I thank God for His fresh morning mercy, I jump on my bike for a 45 mile ride with several others and I speak truth from The Word of God to my soul and try to deny my body what it craves for! Although Akila brought me a two pint beer glass for Christmas that really needs to be christened!